The Summit League Player of the Year is staying put in the Mile High City.
Denver sophomore guard Carson Johnson announced on social media Thursday that he will return next year to play for the Pioneers.
“I’m back,” Johnson tweeted on X.
Johnson, a former Ankeny star, would have been one of the biggest prizes in the transfer portal had he elected to chase NIL money. But he remained loyal to Denver coach Tim Bergstraser, who recruited him out of high school and then brought him along a year ago when he left Minnesota State Moorhead to take over the Pioneers’ program.
Johnson helped lead Denver to a 15-17 record. He was one of the top scoring guards in the nation, averaging 20 points and 3.2 assists per game.
Johnson finished in double figures in the final 20 games of the season. He finished second in the Pioneers’ single-season history with 642 points and ranks third for the most 3-pointers in a season with 87.
Johnson was named the Summit League Newcomer of the Year and was also selected to the Summit League first team.